Locomotor switch-throwing device.



No. 702,042. Patented June 10,1902.

A.- c. WOLFE.

LOUUMOTOB SWITCH THROWING DEVICE. (Application filed Aug. 86; 1901.) (No Model.) a Sheets-Shah! n.

5 \l I E 1 QA l WITNESSES.- I f I INVENTOR.

I n I G BYm I :1 WM 1 X ATTORNEY 1 Patented June I0, 1902.

' A. c. WOLFE.

LOGOMOTOR SWITCH THBOWING DEVICE. (Application filed Aug. 26, 1901. (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheat 2 WITNESSES: W/NVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented lune I0, 1992. 3

A. C. WOLFE.

LOCOMOTOR SWITCH THROWING DEVICE.

(Application filed Aug. 26. 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

,Wmvesszs; I Q

I v I By v v ATTORNEY.

4 a a a t tors aftertheir use and 'shallalso replacethe ANDREW cLWOLFE; OE-DENVER, ooLo RAno, 'ASSIGNORloroNnFon Tir TO JosEP'tt EWI T, OF- ALLEGHENY;PENNSYLVANIA. w i 1 dpplication filedAngust'ZB,

To all whom, it may concern:

"Be it known'that I, ANDREw-c. W0jLFe,ja

citizen of the United States, residing at No,

j Throwing-Device, ofjwhich'the followingi's a gspecificati'on. l. y This'invention relates"toyswitch-throwers 1415 Sixteenthavenue, in the city of Denver, county of Arapahoe, and State of Colorado, have invented a ne'vv'Loconhotor Switch-1 of that class in which theLswitch beingap-f proached bya car, locomotive,"motor-car on a'n'y'whe'eled structure'adaptedto be run upon a v atrack having switches, may befthrown by J 1 operating suitable I'nech'a'ni's nupon'the car or other structure, which for the'sakeof convert- 'ience will here be termed a flocoin'otor'i This v switch-throwingdevice is intendedtoQ-be op-j "erated by means of compressed airasfarm'osure and adapted to operate'afpiston in acyl-i used in a comprehensive sense to embrace all f such power means;

The Objects I'of this invention first, to

providea switch-throwing device which shall! be easily and surelyfoperable"without"stop- V v fping OISlOWlDg downthe locomotorjsecond, to provide a switch-thrower which shall beca pable of being operated without the motorneer "-being required to move materiallyrout of his usual position; third, to provide a switchthrower which shall be powerfuland adapted i to overcome dirt: and other rninor obstructionsin the-switch and yetnot require much exertion on thepart of the motorneer fourth,

to provide a-l0c0m0torswitch-thrower in which two distinct selectors. shallbe' operable from one and the sameipiston,and,1fift h', to

i provide a switch-thrower in'whi'ch one retractingmeans or spring shall replace both selec- .piston operatingtheinin its' central or normal the mechanism illustrated-:in'theaccompanyi otsorstudsD,uponwhicharefreely mounted ing drawings,in'which+ g Figure 1 is a sideelevation'of the horizontal form of switch-thrower detached,theoperating-piston being shown in section. 1 Fig; 2 is a a similar side elevation'of avertical forni of the switch-thrower detached. 1 Fig; 3 is a side Loco 'oTo'R sw l rc lyv'tiaowiuc.

SPECIEIGATIQNiorining part of Letters Patent ivb. toaoeaidata ulie 1o; 19cc."

1 01. s aging 73,394. (Noihodel-l 1. .j;

elevation of a portion of a locon otive with the switch-thrower attached; u Fig; 4 isan eleva tio'n, partly in section, 'ofja detached con-trolling-valve' Fig, 5 isajsectional elevation ;ot a portionot a motor-car,showing the hori-"i zontal' form 'of-' switch -j-'throw,er (attached.

inder a'nd pistonf as being of the'double-act 'ing type; .Figi 3,,representswthe operatingpiston as being of the single-a'cting-type', in V -lwhich two similar switch+throwersiwill be'lo' catedupon', opposi d sl 'fl flcoinotive i and a controlling-\ alv -as shown. i Fig.4; t

is located in the cab convenient to the engineerjand is piped to the-'air-Vbrake systern'a's a sourceof'supplyandzto thetwo'opposite (33 1- inder's of the 'switchgthroweiij- Like characters designate siniila'r in 1 t 1*" 7 The" motor-cylinder or'cy-linder bylme'ans thes'everal views."

of which the switch-thrower, is operated is designated-M, and 'a piston" A of theflusual v forin is fitted'therein, the pi'stomrod B being guided in the stuffing-box C; :In thedo'uble acting form-shown in Figs. '1, 2, andi5 the normalposition of the piston A isin thec'enter of the cylinder M; whichjis provided with a two+ way valve F, supplied with-gair under presair-brake-system of-a locomotive-or from a suitable reservoir-"upon a car equipped'with the switch thrower, the air beingpreferably. conducted tothe central opening F" ofthe valve, from which itfis'admitted to the port .in the appropriate 'directio'n'by any'suitable meansyas by the ihandle' F onby the lever and rod F The valve F5 is provided with suitable cu t-away placesor opQe'ni'ngsFiwhich permit otthe e'xhaustingwoftheair from both ends of the cylinder when the valveis in its -;normal position, as in Fig. Lithrou'ghfthe openings- M at the sides' ofthe'valve chest.

Fixed-in asuitable support, asDQare-pivtwo similar leversor barsEiE'yandrigidly connected to these levers are'thecran'k-arms E and Ei'and pivotally mounted on the support D is also an angle-lever E g which is connected with the arm E so asjto give re- V 5 M' to extend the piston rod or to the port a to draw in the piston-rod by rockingthe valve \6156 movements to the top ends of arm E and lever E for similar movements of levers E and E. Secured tothe support D are suitable stops D which engage the arms E and E to limit the upward swinging movement of levers E and E. The lower or free ends of the levers are provided with switch-throwing wheels G, which are revolubly mounted on suitable studs secured in the levers. The arm E and lever E are provided with opposite ,arms E, which are connected bya suitable spring E tending to retain the wheels G in their upper position, as shown by'full lines in Fig. 1, with the arms against the limit-stops D The piston-rod B is provided with two similar reversed slots B and B which engage with the pins of the cranks E and E the said pins normally being in engagement with the opposite ends of the said slots, as shown. This form of construction causes the depression of the lever E, with its wheel G, when the piston-rod B is drawn in, the arm E and slot B cooperating as a support and guide for the piston-rod B. In a similar manner the arm E, with its wheel G, will be depressed when the piston-rod is extended from its normal position, and the arm E and slot B will cooperate in a similar manner to sustain and guide the piston-r0d B. The opposite ends of slots B and B are provided with slight transverse enlargements B which permit the curved movement of the arms engaging with the slots.

In the vertical form shown in Fig. 2 the reverse-lever E is omitted, the reverse movements of the levers E and E being secured by means of the opposite direction of the arms 1 and E as shown. In this view the valve F is represented as having been tipped to admit air under pressure to the piston-rod end of the cylinder and the piston as having been advanced part way through its upward stroke, thus lowering the lever E, with its wheel G, to an operative position to engage the portion of the switch-operating device located between the tracks, as shown in outline in Fig. 3. The full operation and construction of this switch are shown in my former patent, No. 678,084, dated July 9, 1901, entitled Railway switch mechanism, to which attention is respectfully called.

In the form of switch-throwershown in Fig. 3, which is one form especially adapted to a locomotive, the substitute for the lever E is the sliding bar 11, which may be rigidly fixed to or coincident with the piston-rod B. This bar H is preferably formed square near its lower extremity and slides freely but nonrevolubly in the cap H, secured to the frame of the locomotive. The location is such as or behind the locomotive.

locomotive the cylinders M are preferably made single-acting, as previously stated, and are connected by pipes M with a suitable controlling-valve, as the one represented in Fig. 4:, located in a convenient place in the cab or at the front and rear ends of the 10- comotive and tender. For use on switchlocomotives one of these controllingvalves will be located at the pilot and another at the rear end of the tender, that the switch being approached may be thrown by the switchman on the usual footboard and without getting otf or stopping thelocou'iotive. It is obvious that either of the forms of switchthrower shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be placed upon a locomotive and that the form shown in Fig. may be placed upon an ordinary street-car. In case of placing the single-acting cylinder type on a car the controllingvalve may be located convenient tothe foot of the motorneer,and the pushes J and J may be stepped on to operate the switch being approached, the opposite springs J being for the purpose of. returning the valve F to its normal position, as shown. When this valve,

as seen in Fig. 4, is placed in a locomotivecab, it is preferably manipulated by means of the handle F. In Fig. 3 the spring II retracts or raises up the bar II and wheel G after the same have been depressed by the admission of air to the cylinder M, the shoulder shown on the bar actingas a stop against thecap H. i

It is evident that the levers E and E and the bar H may terminate in a curved lower end or shoe, which will be operative to depress the switch mechanism I as a substitute for the wheel G; but the wheel is the preferred form obviously.

In Fig. 5 the lovers E and E are represented as both pivoted upon the same shaft D, supported from the truck-frame in any desirable manner, and the spring E is here operative as a push-spring instead of a tension-spring, as in Figs. 1 and 2. The valve lever and rod F are here shown as operated by a double bell-crank K, which has two opposite-acting pushes L, one of which is shown depressed by the foot of the motorneer, in consequence of which the piston-rod B has been partly drawn in and the lever E'has been depressed to the working position and is shown with the wheel G resting on the surface of the pavement between the tracks and approaching the switclroperating device outlined in the broken -away place in the pavement.

In Fig. 5, N represents a tank containing a supply of compressed air with which to operate the switch-thrower and is piped to the cylinder by pipe P.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a locomotor switclrthrower, the combination with a double-acting cylinder and piston, of a right-track and a left-track selector'connected with said piston; a double"- acting controlling-valve for the admission of the motive agent to said cylinder; and opposing springs for returning said valve to its neutral inoperative position.

2. Ina locomotor switch-thrower, the con1- binationwith adouble acting cylinder and piston, of a right-track and a left-track se-' lector operatively connected with said piston; a double-acting-controlling-valve for the admission of air to and exhaust from bothends' of said cylinder, the exhaust from both of I said ends being normally open and the admission thereto being normally closed; and opposing springs for yieldinglysustaining said valve in its normal position. 1

3. Ina locomotorswitch thrower, the com- V bination with a double-acting cylinder and piston,of a right-track and a'left-track selector operatively connected with said piston;

an oppositelymoving controlling-valve for governing the actuatingof said piston-in opposite directions; yielding means for sustaining said valve in its non-ad mission position; and opposite selective pushes operatively connected with said valve, to cause either selector tobe moved to the operative position.

4. In a locomotor switch-thrower, the combination with a car or carriage adapted to trav erse a track, of a double-acting cylinder and piston; a right-track and a left-track selector operatively connected with said piston; an

A -.oppositely-moving' controlling valve for the motive agent for said cylinder; opposing springs tending to sustain said valve in its non-admission position; and opposite selective means at one or both ends of said car, operatively connected with said-valve.

5. In a locomotor switch-thrower, the combination, with a cylinder and actuating-piston, of a right trackand a left-track selector connected with said piston; and means for operating said piston.

6. In a locomotor switch-thrower, the combination, with a cylinder and. actuating-piston, of a right-trackand a left-track selector connected with said piston, and adapted to be operated respectively by the reverse movements of said piston; and power means and a controlling-valve for moving said piston in either direction.

7. Ina locomotor switch-thrower, the combination, with a cylinder and actuating piston, ofa right-track and a left-track selector connected to be operated respectively by the reverse movements of said piston; power means anda controlling-valve for moving said 'piston in either direction ;-and retracting meansfor returning-said piston to its neutral position. 1 g

"8, In a locomotor switch-thrower, the combination, with a cylinder and actuating-pis ton, of a right-track and a left-track selector;

slotted means moving with said piston, and engaging said selectors; and retracting means and stops for said selectors.

9. In a locomotor switch-thrower, the coming means tending to maintain ton, of a right-trackand aleft-track selector; a reversing-lever connected with one of said selectors; and slots movable with said piston, I

.bination, with a cyl'inderand' actuating-pisand engaging saidreversing-lever and the other of said selectors.

10. In alocomotorswitch-thrower, the-combination,with a cylinder and actuating-piston,

of two reverse-connected switch-throwingse lectors operated by'said piston; a retracting-- spring and stop for each of said'seleotors; and: I power means and a controlling-valve for moving said piston in either direction, and releas-,

ing the sam'e. r a v 11. In a locomotive switch-throweathe combination with right-trackand'lefttracksel'ec tors, of actuating means for movingeither o'f saidselectors into operative position; a single oscillatable two-way controlling-valve fo'rthe admission of air from the air brakes'ystem to said actuating means; exhaust connections from said actuating means, normally maintained open by said valve; and opposing yieldits normal position. i

12. In alocomotor switch-thrower, the com- I bination with a locomotive having right-track and left-track selectors, of a piston and opposite conduits adapted to move'either selector into operative position upon the admission of. a motive agent to the appropriate conduit;

an oseil-latable valve located convenient tothe engineer or switchman, or both, and normally closing both of said conduits whenin its neutral position; exhaust connections to said valve in too said valve, in position andadapted to have I either one covered thereby upon tipping the valve to open the mating admission-conduit; yielding means tending to move said valve to its neutral position; and means foroperating said valve in opposit'e directions-at will.

13. In a locomotor switch-thrower, the combination with a car adapted to traverse a track,

of an air-operated switch-thrower having right-track and left-track selectors; a reservoir containing air 'under pressure; admission connections from said reservoir to'said switchthrower; exhaust connections from said switch-thrower; anda controlling-valve normally closing said air connectionsand maintaining open the said exhaust connec-' tions. I

14. In a device of the class specified, the

combination, with an automatic brake con trolled air-compressing means; of a tank con" nected with the delivery of said air-compress-' ing means; air-operated right-track and left;

track selectors; oppositely-operative pairs of admission and exhaust passages fromfsaid' tankto and from said selector-operating 'device; and a controlling-valve governingsaid passages. I a I 15. In a device of the class spec-ified,'the' combination, witha car adaptedto traverse a track, of an air-receiver containing airfabove atmospheric pressure; an air-piston; adapted w operate a left-track switch-thrower when moved in one direction,and to operate a righttrack switch-thrower when moved in the reverse direction; and a controlling-valve for the admission of air from the receiver to either side of said piston.

16. In a device of the class specified, the combination with a car adapted to traverse a track, of an air-receiver containing air above atmospheric pressure; an air-piston adapted to operate a left-track switch-thrower when moved in one direction, and to operate a righttrack switch-thrower when moved in the opposite direction; a controlling-valve governing the admission of air from said receiver to either side of said piston, and the exhaust from said piston; and opposite selecting footpushes operatively connected with said valve.

17. In a device of the class specified, the

combination with a car adapted to traverse a track, of an airtank, controlling-valve and double-acting air-piston; right-track and lefttrack selectors connected for operation by means of opposite movements of said piston respectively; and vertically-disposed Wheels in said selectors, in position and adapted to depress switch-throwing means operatively connected with said track.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, before two subscribing Witnesses, at Denver, Colorado, this 21st day of August, A. D. 1901.

ANDRE W C. IVOLFE. 

